How to grow and care for a rowan tree

❚ All products were chosen independently by our editorial team. This review contains affiliate links and we may receive a commission for purchases made. Please read our affiliates FAQ page to find out more.

How to grow rowan - Sorbus 'Eastern Promise'

How to grow a rowan tree

Grow your rowan in a fertile, well-drained soil in full sun to partial shade. Water regularly in the first two years to help it become established, and stake it to prevent root-rock.

Where to grow a rowan tree

Rowan tree growing in an ornamental border — Rowan trees growing in an ornamental border

Rowan trees do best in moist but well-drained soil in full sun to partial shade. Plant your rowan at the back of a border or make a feature of one in a lawn.

How to plant a rowan tree

Plant bare-root trees between November and March, and pot-grown trees any time of year unless the soil is frozen. Dig a square hole and remove weed roots. Fork the soil to make it pliable. Place the tree in the planting hole and check its depth – ensure it sits at the same level it was in the ground or in its pot, for bare-root plants look for the 'soil tide mark' towards the base of the stem. Once you're satisfied with the depth, fill around the roots with soil until the hole is filled, and firm gently. Water well.

Add a tree stake to prevent root rock, this will need to be in pace for around two years.

How to care for a rowan tree

Rowans need very little attention after they've become established. Water in very dry weather and mulch annually with well-rotted horse manure or compost. You may need to cut back suckering shoots coming from the base of the tree. Prune out dead or damage stems from late autumn to spring.

Advice on buying rowan trees

Make sure you have enough space to grow your rowan – some varieties can grow to 15m over 50 years
Rowans are availble in garden centres but you'll find a wider range online or in specialist nurseries
Remember that bare-root trees are much cheaper than pot-grown trees

Where to buy rowan trees

Varieties of rowan to grow

Rowan, Sorbus aucuparia — Rowan, *Sorbus aucuparia*

Sorbus aucuparia – our native rowan, this is an upright tree with clusters of white flowers in late spring, followed by orange-red berries in autumn and yellow autumn leaf colours.

Buy Sorbus aucuparia 'Ember Glow' from Thompson & Morgan

Sorbus cashmiriana – this white-berried rowan can be grown as a large shrub or small tree. Attractive pink flowers in spring.

Buy Sorbus aff. cashmiriana from Crocus

Sorbus ‘Eastern Promise’ – this is a small, rounded tree with white flowers and pink berries. It's autumn leaf colour is spectacular, too.

Buy Sorbus 'Eastern Promise from Crocus

Sorbus ‘Joseph Rock’ – one of the most popular varieties for small gardens, 'Joseph Rock' has white flowers and yellow berries, with the added bonus of red and orange autumn leaf colours.

Buy Sorbus 'Joseph Rock' from Crocus

Frequently asked questions

Can I reduce the height of my rowan tree?

Rowan trees don't require routine pruning. They look best when allowed to maintain their natural shape and shouldn't, ideally, be cut back to reduce their height – it's better to grow a species that won’t outgrow your space. However, if you have a rowan that's growing too tall and there's no other option, you could reduce its height. The sooner you do this, the better.

Prune rowan trees in the dormant period between October and February. You shouldn't top the tree by removing the top of the central stem and the upper main branches, as this will damage the tree, cause decay and regrowth is likely to be vigorous. Instead, reduce the size of the crown by cutting branch tips back to suitable side shoots to control the size of the tree while maintaining its shape. Crown reduction is best undertaken by a professional tree surgeon.

Help! My rowan tree is dying.

Rowan trees are susceptible to several fungal diseases including coral spot, silver leaf, apple canker, honey fungus and fireblight. If your rowan is showing signs of leaves turning brown, branch dieback or bark splitting, it's possible that the tree has a fungal disease. Rowan ‘Joseph Rock’ is particularly susceptible to fireblight, so avoid this variety in areas where the fungal disease is prevalent. If you aren't sure what's wrong with your tree, consult a qualified arboriculturist who can advise you on the health of the tree and how best to care for it.

Why are there shrivelled brown leaves on my rowan tree?

Shrivelled brown leaves can be a sign of drought. When trees have insufficient water, they can develop brown leaf tips or brown margins to the leaves. To avoid this, plant rowan trees in moist but well-drained soil and keep young plants well-watered for up to three years, especially in hot, dry periods. Entire shoots browning and dying could indicate a fungal disease such as fireblight, coral spot or apple canker. Prune out infections, cutting back to healthy wood.